QPR playmaker Akos Buzsaky has stepped up his training ahead of an expected return to action next month.

Buzsaky has been sidelined since October with knee ligament damage, having previously spent long spells out with knee and ankle injuries.

“Akos has just started doing a bit more. It’s really good news for us,” said Rangers manager Neil Warnock.

“He’s stepped things up and, while we’re not going to rush things with him, having him back will be a big boost.”

Warnock met with the Rangers board on Monday to discuss possible new signings, and the club are close to bringing Dan Shittu and Wayne Routledge back to Loftus Road.

Shittu is due to become a free agent on Friday, when his short-term contract at Millwall expires.

The defender has been offered a new deal by the Lions, but was looking certain to return to the club he left to join Watford for �1.6m in July 2006.

Rangers are also keen to sign Routledge on loan from Newcastle – a year after selling the winger to them – and were hopeful of completing a deal in time for Sunday’s televised match against Coventry (kick-off 1.15pm).

In addition, Warnock is hoping to recruit at least one striker. West Brom forward Ishmael Miller, recently back from a long-term knee injury, is among the options being considered, while Benni McCarthy played for QPR in their behind-closed-doors friendly at Tottenham on Tuesday.

Rangers also recently offered a trial to Slovenian defender Darko Zec, but have since cooled their interest in the player.